October 25, 2011

Condemned killer Hank Skinner makes third try for DNA testing

A federal judge in Amarillo on Monday heard arguments about whether death row inmate Hank Skinner, who was sentenced to death after a trial in Fort Worth, is entitled to DNA testing that he says will clear him. Twice before, courts have rejected his request, but the U.S. Supreme Court allowed him a day in court to argue for the testing. Skinner, convicted of murdering his girlfriend and her two adult sons in 1993, is scheduled for execution Nov. 9. See more details from the Amarillo Globe News.

Comments

Our judicial system protects the innocent through the appeals process. However Hank Skinner has played the appeals process in the system for 16 years. He killed Twilla and the two boys and should have been executed by now.

The prosecutor and even the original defense counsel are convinced he's guilty. So why not just test it to avoid the whole media circus?
Better question-why would any officer of the court not pursue every lead and test every shred of evidence in the interest of justice for Twila and the boys?
It will be interesting to see how long it takes to destroy the evidence after they stick the needle in him.